第23章

Yetthatitwas，orthatitcouldbeshe，Hehadsmallcauseorreasontosuppose，OccasiongreatandweightymustitbeShouldmakeherridebynightamongherfoes：

WhatGodfreywilledthatobservedhe，Andwithhissoldierslayinambushclose：

ThesenewsthroughalltheChristianarmywent，Ineverycabintalked，ineverytent。

CXIV

Tancred，whosethoughtsthesquirehadfilledwithdoubtByhissweetwords，supposednowhearingthis，Alas！thevirgincametoseekmeout，Andformysakeherlifeindangeris；

Himselfforthwithhesingledfromtherout，Androdeinhaste，thoughhalfhisarmshemiss；

Amongthosesandyfieldsandvalleysgreen，Toseekhislove，hegallopedfastunseen。

SEVENTHBOOK

THEARGUMENT。

AshepherdfairErminiaentertains，WhomwhilstTancrediseeksinvaintofind，HeisentrappedinArmida’strains：

RaymondwithstrongArgantesisassignedTofight，anangeltohisaidhegains：

SatanthatseesthePagan’sfuryblind，Andhastywrathturntohislossandharm，Dothraisenewtempest，uproarandalarm。

I

Erminia’ssteedthiswhilehismistressboreThroughforeststhickamongtheshadytreen，Herfeeblehandthebridlereinsforlore，Halfinaswoonshewas，forfearIween；

Butherfleetcoursersparedne’erthemore，TobearherthroughthedesertwoodsunseenOfherstrongfoes，thatchasedherthroughtheplain，Andstillpursued，butstillpursuedinvain。

II

Likeasthewearyhoundsatlastretire，Windless，displeased，fromthefruitlesschase，Whentheslybeasttapishedinbushandbrier，Noartnorpainscanrouseoutofhisplace：

TheChristianknightssofullofshameandireReturnedback，withfaintandwearypace：

Yetstillthefearfuldamefledswiftaswind，Noreverstayed，noreverlookedbehind。

III

Throughthickandthin，allnight，allday，shedrived，Withoutencomfort，company，orguide，Herplaintsandtearswitheverythoughtrevived，Sheheardandsawhergriefs，butnaughtbeside：

ButwhenthesunhisburningchariotdivedInThetis’wave，andwearyteamuntied，OnJordan’ssandybankshercourseshestayedAtlast，theredownshelight，anddownshelaid。

IV

Hertears，herdrink；herfood，hersorrowings，Thiswasherdietthatunhappynight：

Butsleep，thatsweetreposeandquietbrings，Toeasethegriefsofdiscontentedwight，Spreadforthhistender，soft，andnimblewings，Inhisdullarmsfoldingthevirginbright；

AndLove，hismother，andtheGraceskeptStrongwatchandward，whilethisfairladyslept。

V

Thebirdsawokeherwiththeirmorningsong，Theirwarblingmusicpiercedhertenderear，ThemurmuringbrooksandwhistlingwindsamongTherattlingboughsandleaves，theirpartsdidbear；

HereyesunclosedbeheldthegrovesalongOfswainsandshepherdgroomsthatdwellingswere；

Andthatsweetnoise，birds，windsandwaterssent，Provokedagainthevirgintolament。

VI

Herplaintswereinterruptedwithasound，Thatseemedfromthickestbushestoproceed，Somejollyshepherdsungalustyround，Andtohisvoicehetunedhisoatenreed；

Thithershewent，anoldmanthereshefound，Atwhoserighthandhislittleflockdidfeed，Satmakingbaskets，histhreesonsamong，Thatlearnedtheirfather’sart，andlearnedhissong。

VIII

“But，father，sincethisland，thesetownsandtowersDestroyedarewithsword，withfireandspoil，HowmanyitbeunhurtthatyouandyoursInsafetythusapplyyourharmlesstoil？“

“Myson，“quothhe，“thispoorestateofoursIseversafefromstormofwarlikebroil；

Thiswildernessdothusinsafetykeep，Nothunderingdrum，notrumpetbreaksoursleep。

IX

“HaplyjustHeaven’sdefenceandshieldofright

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